Striped Bass Pishing 



allow the point and barb to be passed a 

 third time through the bait, just far enough 

 to expose the point ; and then with a 

 couple of half-hitches, one around both 

 the bait and shank of the hook, and the 

 other on the shank below the knob of the 

 hook alone, the bait is ready to be cast. 

 It will be found on examination that the 

 line pulls directly on the hook without 

 cutting the bait, and if the whole thing is 

 seized by a fish, the pull on the line will 

 drive the barb into the fish's mouth with- 

 out interference of the bait itself. 



One's interest is now centred on the 

 rod ; and this is seen to be short, not 

 exceeding 8 feet in length, - - with large 

 free guides and tips of german silver, 

 sometimes of agate. Generally the rod 

 consists of two pieces, --a butt of, say 22 

 inches, and a tip of 5^ to 6 feet; or it 

 may be one solid bamboo rod, of size, 

 taper, and flexibility to suit fancy. The 

 reel is usually a work of art, in which 

 America excels all other nations. It is 

 quite large, holding from 700 to 900 feet 

 of line, multiplying, and will run freely 

 one minute and a half with a twirl of the 

 finger. The best makers strive to adjust 

 a perfect balance between the handle and 

 its revolution, so that the slightest pres- 



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